Books: 1491 by Charles C. Mann

We had heard a lot of this book, 1491, before we ever picked it up, mostly on libertarian-esque blogs. The book's subtitle proclaims it contains: New Revelations of the Americas Before Columbus, and it delivers as promised. The book chronicles the history of Native Americans and what they had really been up to before Columbus sailed the ocean blue.

This book was written to answer a question, what were the Americas like before European settlers arrived? There are many misconceptions that the Native Americans were a bunch of Nobel Savages who lived in harmony with the land and didn't attempt to alter their environment in any way. This book disproves that theory, as well as describing several theories for human migration into the Americas, and chronicling many of their civilizations and their relationship with their environment. It was fascinating to see a myth that we had been taught since we were puppies disproved so soundly in this hefty book.


Quick vote: This book was quite thick, but we really enjoyed it. If you're interested in truth and Native Americans, check it out!


Thanks to all of our loyal readers that attended our Aunt Jiggy's dedication at Beaver Mountain this past Saturday! We're sorry we missed you!

Blogs: Fantasy Football

We're not huge sports fans, but this year we've been following a little bit of football due to ESPN's Fantasy Football. Our parents each ended up with their own fantasy team and we've found ourselves tuning in to see how well they are performing. The idea is that you can create your own 'fantasy' teams by drawing desired players from all of the teams in the NFL, and then they are scored each weeks by various technical criteria (we know little about the details).

So far, Sandy Bob's Babies are 2-1, and the Killin' Whales (our mother's team) are 1-2. Go Fawson Fantasy Teams!

Movie: Sweeney Todd

It seems fitting, since we've been focusing on musicals lately, and we reviewed Dexter yesterday, that today we would combine the two and review Tim Burton's latest movie, Sweeney Todd. We have never seen the actual musical, so we didn't know what to expect from the film, but we were excited. The result? Another Tim Burton masterpiece with his eclectic cinematography, bizarre costuming, and surreal sets. But unlike other Tim Burton movies we've enjoyed (e.g. Big Fish, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, Edward Scissorhands) this movie was gruesome. Violent in a truly Tarantino-esque fashion.

Sweeney Todd (Johnny Depp), the Demon Barber of Fleet Street, is returning from serving penance for a crime he didn't commit. He was framed because a lusty judge was after his beautiful wife. He ends up in cahoots with Mrs. Leavitts (Helena Bonham Carter) who helps him plan his evil schemes. Johnny Depp was pretty awesome in this film, though we were quite disappointed in Helena Bonham Carter's casting, her voice was too weak and her character unconvincing. We were also suprised to see Sacha Baron Cohen (aka Borat) with a cameo as a rival barber.

Quick vote: This movie was gruesome, but well made. Not for the faint of heart, or the faint of ear, as some of Mz. Carter's singing is quite gruesome itself. (Ah, nepotism. She's Tim Burton's wife.)

TV: Dexter

We had heard a lot about Showtime's tv show, Dexter, but we finally got around to watching it and boy are we glad we did! It is smart, savvy, and though a tad gruesome at times, we've really been enjoying it.

Dexter Morgan works for the homicide department in Miami's police force as a forensic analyst specializing in blood splatters. He is also a serial killer. His adopted father, a legendary homicide detective, recognized Dexter's personality quirks early in life and taught him to cover his tracks and to kill only those that deserve it. So in his spare time, Dexter finds those people that fall through the cracks of the Miami police system and takes care of them his own special way, all while trying to fake his way through a normal life with friends, relatives, and his girlfriend.


Quick vote: This show is not for the faint of heart, but it's really well made.

Music: For My Friends by Blind Melon

Our dad is a long-term Blind Melon fan, so when they came out with a new cd a few months ago, he bought it right away. It's taken us a while to get around to listening to it, but we were glad that we did. Blind Melon is typically a bit too hard for our tastes, something we enjoy in moderation, but not something that we would listen to on a daily basis. This new album, however, is a whole different creature. It's less Blind Melon and more a Blind Melon/Bright Eyes/Spoon amalgamation. We really like it.


"I went drivin' today,
Couldn't help but think of how
You're with somebody else,
And now you've got a child.

It's been a few years
Since I saw you last.
I know you're doin' fine,
You don't miss the broken glass."
--Tumblin' Down

"Scratch my eyes out for you,
Strap dynamite to my sides.
Shed a carcass for you,
Oh, empty out my soul.
I'm begging you, just give me a chance.
Stick with me and we'll see the rest.

Oh, I'm paralyzed.

I'll carve your name here in my chest,
Kill for you, and nothing less.
I'll burn alive no second thoughts,
Just to hear your scratchy voice,
Your scratchy voice."
--Harmful Belly


Quick vote: This album is fun and funky, we really enjoyed listening to it.

Books: Practical Demonkeeping by Christopher Moore

Christopher Moore is the author of several books with great "pick-up factor." What we mean by that is that when perusing the local bookstore, we're continually drawn to his books and pick them up, though we had never read any until now. If we hadn't read so much vampire lore lately, we probably would have read You Suck instead, but rather, we read Practical Demonkeeping.

This book was really fun, involving demons and genies, and all sorts of ancient lore all tied up into a quick-read novel set in the present day in the Northwest. A demon has been traveling about, eating people (mostly shady characters like the drug-dealer, The Breeze) and not getting caught for a century. His master falls for a girl, and grows complacent allowing him to slip off and create some evil plans. A genie has been tailing them and wants to gain his freedom as well as sending the demon back to Hell where he belongs.


Quick vote: This book was quite a fun read, but won't be winning any Pulitzer prizes any time soon!

Aunt Annie's 2 Cents: My mommy sometimes calls me a demon when I pee on her bed. Is that a compliment? I assume so, so I'll just keep doing it.

Blogs: A Softer World

A Softer World is an artsy blog we've been into lately. The blog takes vintage photos and strings them together in comic strip-like formats, adding witty commentary along the way. It's fun, funny, and original.


Quick vote: This blog is very unique and fun. We give it two paws up! (Or four. Or eight.)